The Albanese government has announced that it will not take action to prevent children from accessing pornography online, despite its determination to combat misinformation and disinformation on the internet. The federal government has decided against forcing pornographic websites to employ age restriction technology to prevent minors from accessing their content. This stance comes as a surprise, considering that the e-Safety Commissioner had recommended a trial of this technology.
A report from the Commissioner revealed that almost half of 16-18-year-olds who had seen online pornography were first exposed to it between the ages of 13 and 15. Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman criticized the government for its failure to protect children, emphasizing the damaging impacts that accessing pornography can have on young individuals. According to Coleman, age verification technology would effectively prevent children from accessing harmful and dangerous material.
However, the government expressed several concerns about the effectiveness, privacy, and security of age restriction technology, leading to their decision not to impose its use on pornographic websites. These concerns include potential compromises to the privacy of adult porn users and a desire not to burden the porn industry. Additionally, the Commissioner’s report highlighted that LGBTQ children often rely on online pornography to learn about sex. If age restrictions were enforced, these children would face difficulties in finding educational resources.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced that instead of requiring pornographers to safeguard children, the government would mandate the development of a code of practice for the porn industry. Rowland argued that the government is already taking steps to protect children by funding respectful relationships education, launching consent and sexual assault prevention campaigns, and implementing initiatives to prevent violence against women and children.
Rowland made it clear that the digital industry should be aware that further action will be taken if it fails to ensure the safety of children. By refusing to implement the e-Safety Commissioner’s key recommendation, the Albanese government is putting the onus on the porn industry to self-regulate and prioritize the safety of young individuals.
In conclusion, the Albanese government’s decision not to force pornographic websites to use age restriction technology is surprising considering their commitment to combating misinformation and disinformation online. While concerns about the effectiveness and privacy of such technology have been raised, opposition spokesman David Coleman and others argue that age verification measures would effectively protect children from accessing harmful content. However, the government believes that its current initiatives, including funding educational programs and prevention campaigns, are sufficient to ensure the safety of children online. Time will tell if their alternative approach will effectively address the issue of children accessing pornography.
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